The Suffolk Stop Smoking Service is committed to helping the local community get the help they need to quit smoking. Recently we ran an event at the local Catholic Church in Ipswich inviting all those attending the Polish Mass to come to a ‘taster’ session in the Parish Hall.

We had a specialist adviser and a Polish translator on hand to give advice and we provided a range of materials including leaflets in English and Polish, CO monitors and age progression software to encourage people to come along. Tea and coffee were provided as well as biscuits and soft drinks for children.

The fifteen Polish people who attended were all keen to find out about how they could give up smoking. They were fascinated by the CO monitors which showed how much carbon monoxide was in their blood and many of the children found the age progression software fun. This allows people to see what they would look like in ten to forty years if they continue to smoke!

Those who spoke a little English were keen to find out where they could get help and support. Some had already tried to give up and bought their own NRT. They found it expensive and did not know they could get it on prescription.

The taster session was a big success and all the Polish people we spoke to were keen for us to provide sessions at the new Polish Club when it opened up later in the year.